When I found out one of my first friends on Maui was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer, I just cried. And then, the fixer in me wanted to fix it. The only thing I could think to do was make her a puka necklace, because that’s what I know how to do.

And then I thought, maybe if the people close to her each donated a puka, we could supercharge the necklace and it could help her heal.

And so “The Puka Project” finally took shape in the form of a community "puka drive".

Cynthia inspired it all, and continues to inspire me with her warrior spirit. She has fought this cancer with most style, gratitude, and positivity I have ever seen. You can read more about her journey with cancer here.